Potholes here down 40%, thanks to enhanced pre-emptive maintenance

LTA to conduct next-gen road pavement study aimed at boosting durability of roads

- Esther Loi

The number of potholes found on roads in Singapore has been decreasing over the last three years, with a nearly 40 per cent drop in the January to September period compared with the same period in 2022.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) attributed the drop to its enhanced preemptive maintenance efforts, in a media briefing on Oct 2.

These measures include using road inspection data - obtained from regular inspections and public feedback, as well as analysis of traffic patterns and road types - to plan and prioritise maintenance activities.

As a result, LTA can address surface deterioration in its early stages, preventing potholes from forming and extending the overall lifespan of roads, it said.

At present, the authority conducts inspections on expressways every week, on major roads every two weeks, and on minor roads every eight weeks.

LTA also regularly resurfaces the 9,500 lane-km of roads under its charge: every seven to 10 years for expressways, every 10 to 15 years for major roads, and every 15 to 25 years for minor roads.

The authority said resurfacing efforts have increased fourfold since 2022.

Regular preventive maintenance works help maintain better road conditions more efficiently, while also saving costs in the long term as fewer repairs are needed, said LTA.